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Renewed optimism: Where IU basketball stands in every early projection for 2026-27 season

 

Darian DeVries at IU basketball practice on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

After struggling to an underwhelming 18-14 finish last winter, there’s renewed optimism for IU basketball ahead of the 2026-27 season.

The Hoosiers assembled one of the nation’s best transfer portal classes, headlined by former Notre Dame guard Markus Burton and former Alabama big man Aiden Sherrell.

Inside the Hall has scoured the Web for every preseason top 25 for the 2026-27 season currently available and here’s where the Hoosiers currently stand in the early national picture:

James Fletcher, On3.com – No. 18

This is the highest ranking for the Hoosiers that we uncovered and it was just inside the top 20.

Mike Rutherford, SBNation.com – No. 21

Rutherford, who has covered the University of Louisville extensively for more than a decade, also does national coverage for SBNation.com.

He placed the Hoosiers just outside the top 20 at No. 21 and noted that there is “renewed faith” after the program’s transfer portal haul this spring.

Rob Dauster, Field of 68 – No. 21

Dauster, a longtime college basketball personality and a co-founder at the Field of 68, also has the Hoosiers at No. 21 in his latest rankings.

At No. 21, the Hoosiers are just ahead of rival Purdue. The Boilermakers are No. 22 in Dauster’s projections.

Gary Parrish, CBSSports.com – No. 22

Parrish, a longtime college basketball writer, is the author of a top 25-and-1 at CBSSports, which he updates throughout the season and the offseason.

The Hoosiers sit at No. 22 in his projections, which is down one spot from his previous update. The team that jumped Indiana is Kentucky, a non-conference opponent for the Hoosiers.

Seth Davis, HoopsHQ.com – No. 22

Davis, who appears frequently on BTN throughout the college basketball season, also has Indiana in his top 25 at No. 22.

That’s also down one spot from his previous update.

Andy Katz, NCAA.com – No. 23

Katz is now publishing a top 44, which aligns with the recent NCAA tournament expansion that allows 44 at-large bids beginning in 2027.

He has the Hoosiers comfortably inside that top 44 at No. 23 nationally.

CJ Moore, The Athletic – No. 23

A national reporter for The Athletic, Moore has the Hoosiers just inside the top 25 at No. 23, but also admitted that he’s still skeptical.

“Indiana is trying to follow the Michigan model by going huge up front with Aiden Sherrell and Samet Yigitoglu, who both played center last year,” Moore wrote. “Sherrell can step out and make 3s, so the pairing works in theory. The key to Indiana’s portal splurge is keeping Markus Burton healthy. He is a proven bucket-getter, averaging 19.1 points per game in his career, but he has missed 28 games the last two years for Notre Dame. I’m a little skeptical until I see it in practice, but I like the individual pieces enough to at least rank the Hoosiers.”

Kevin Sweeney, SI.com – No. 25

The Hoosiers were the final team in the top 25 for Sweeney, a national writer for Sports Illustrated.

Jon Rothstein – No. 26

Rothstein, one of the most vibrant personalities in the college basketball landscape, frequently updates a top 45 throughout the season and offseason.

In his latest rankings, which are published by FanDuel, Indiana is No. 26.

Bart Torvik – No. 26

Torvik’s rankings, which the NCAA tournament selection committee uses, are still a work in progress and are being frequently updated this offseason.

As of the latest update, the Hoosiers are No. 26.

Jeff Borzello, ESPN.com – Not ranked

Indiana is just outside the top 25 for Borzello, a longtime college basketball writer for the World Wide Leader.

The Hoosiers are one of five teams just outside the top 25, according to Borzello.

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

See More: Media, 2026-27 season preview